MONTANA WINTERING RAPTOR WORKSHOP
Western Montana boasts one of the largest concentrations of wintering birds of prey in northwestern United States. The Mission Valley, located about 55 miles north of Missoula, and 20 miles south of Polson, is a concentration area for these birds. This workshop is limited to only 14 people.
Fourteen species of diurnal birds of prey winter in the valley, including; EAGLES: Bald and Golden; FALCONS: Gyr, Peregrine, Prairie, Merlin and Kestrel; ACCIPITERS: Goshawk, Coopers, Sharp-shinned; HARRIER: Northern Harrier; BUTEOS: Red-tailed, Rough-legged, and occasionally Ferruginous Hawk.
Jan. 8-12, 2026
$2,495
5
DAYS
Key highlights will include:
• Falcon Identification:
While five species of falcons winter in the valley, spotting all of them in one day can be a challenge. We’ll focus on identifying adult falcons, as well as the tricky subspecies of Peregrine and Merlin.
• Accipiter Insights:
Learn to distinguish between the three accipiter species—Goshawk, Cooper’s, and Sharp-shinned hawks. The subtle differences between adults and juveniles, particularly the always challenging Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned, will be discussed in depth.
• Northern Harrier Observation:
Watch as Northern Harriers glide gracefully over the valley’s vegetation. We’ll guide you through the nuances of identifying males, females, and immature birds.
• Rough-legged Hawk Study:
The Mission Valley is renowned for hosting the world’s largest communal roosting sites of wintering Rough-legged Hawks. We will spend time discussing the plumage variation of this species and work on identifying males, females, and immatures.
• Red-tailed Hawk Exploration:
With their wide color variation, Red-tailed Hawks are a common but complex species to identify. We will help you navigate through the color morphs—from the striking Harlan’s (black and white morphs), to the Rufous and Brown morphs—and understand the intricacies of identification.
Whether you’re an experienced raptor watcher or new to birding, this workshop promises a unique and enriching experience. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with other birds-of-prey enthusiasts and enhance your raptor identification skills in one of the most spectacular raptor habitats in the country!
OVERVIEW:
Day 1: Arrival & Dinner
Day 2-4: Field workshops and wildlife excursions
Day 5: Concluding activities and departure
ITINERARY
DAY 1 - THUR. DEC 8: Welcome
Arrive in Missoula. Travel arrangements from the airport to your hotel are available through the Doubletree Hotel. We will meet at 6 pm in the Doubletree lobby, and have dinner at the hotel restaurant – Finn and Porter.
DAY 2 - FRI. DEC 9: MISSOULA & MISSION VALLEY
After breakfast, bring your luggage to the lobby at 9:00. We will depart for the sixty-mile drive to Charlo. First however, we’ll drive the side-streets of Missoula, spotting for Merlin, Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s hawks. If lucky, Pygmy Owls also winter in the city. These predators winter in Missoula and feed on sparrows, finches, starlings, and wintering flocks of Bohemian Waxwings. These Waxwings are a treat for anyone and we will spend some time looking at them.
After that, we’ll drive north casually looking for other birds of prey. We stop for lunch somewhere along the road. Once in the Mission Valley – our destination, we’ll look for all birds of prey. We’ll going over identification techniques, and spend the entire day in the field. We will arrive at out lodge in late afternoon. We’ll then meet in the lounge at 6 pm for cocktails. From there, we will have dinner at the Ninepipes Lodge around 6:30 pm.
DAY 3 - SAT. DEC 10: MISSION VALLEY
After a continental breakfast, we will meet in the Ninepipes lobby at 9 am. We will spend the day in the field, going over identification techniques we learned the day before. We will continue driving the back-roads, trying to locate species we didn’t see on day 2. We’ll have lunch somewhere at one of the many small towns we travel through. We will return again by late afternoon to rest. We will meet in the lobby at 5:30 pm and will have dinner at the Ninepipes Lodge.
DAY 4 - SUN, DEC 11: MISSION & MISSOULA VALLEYs
After breakfast, we will meet in the lobby at 9 am. Your baggage should be packed and ready to go. We will depart for Missoula, stopping along the way to revisit some places and explore some new areas. Once in Missoula, and if time allows, we will drive the neighborhoods and again look for Merlins, Coopers, Sharp-shinned hawks and Northern Pygmy Owl. We will enjoy a farewell dinner tonight at Finn & Porter.
DAY 5 - MON, DEC. 12: DEPARTURE FOR HOME
Tour participants may depart at any time on this day, departure day does not include breakfast.
EXPECTED WEATHER AND CLOTHING NEEDED
During this time of the year in Montana, it is advisable to dress for the unexpected. Temperatures can range from below 0-40 degrees ferenheit. We recommend both cold and wet weather clothing. A hat, gloves, coat or jacket, shelled parka or overcoat, and warm boots are a must. We recommend layered clothing, as opposed to bulky, heavy clothing.
DETAILS, PRICING, TERMS & CONDITIONS
FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS: The fee for the tour is $2,495 per person for double occupancy. This includes all meals from dinner on Day 1 to dinner on Day 4, lodging as stated in the itinerary, ground transportation during the tour, and guide services provided by the tour leader/s. It does not include airfare, airport departure taxes, more than 2 alcoholic beverages per evening, special gratuities, phone calls, laundry, or items of a personal nature. Rates are based upon group tariffs; if the tour does not have sufficient registration, a small party supplement may have to be charged.
The single supplement for this tour is $575. You will be charged a single supplement if you desire single accommodations or if you prefer to share but have no roommate and we cannot provide one for you.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Refunds will be made in accordance with the following schedule only if cancellation is made 45 days or more before the departure date, the deposit less $100.00 is refundable or the entire deposit may be applied to a future tour. If cancellation is made between 45 and 30 days of departure, the deposit is not refundable but any payments above the deposit toward the balance of the fee will be refunded. There will be no refunds for any cancellation made 30 days or less before departure.
RESPONSIBILITY: The tour leaders and their agents provide services as described in the itinerary section of this notice from the initial destination point. We are not responsible in regard to travel to or from the beginning and ending destination points of the tour. We assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity, which may occur through the acts of default of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger to or from the tour. We can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay, changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, acts of God, or other causes. All such losses will have to be borne by the passenger, as rates for tour participants pertain only for the tour times as stated in the accompanying itinerary. We reserve the right to change lodging location to substitutes of same quality or changes in the itinerary if necessary. We reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure with full refunded being constituted as full settlement to the passenger. If for any reason we find it necessary to change the tour guide or guides, notification will be given to tour
members and they will have the right to cancel their participation and to receive a full refund. No refunds will be made for any portion of a tour. We retain the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of any tour. Baggage is at owner’s risk entirely.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: To safeguard against losses due to illness, accident, or other unforeseen circumstances, we strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance as soon as possible after making a deposit.
HEALTH: If you are taking prescription medication or over-the-counter medicine, be sure to bring an ample supply that will allow you to get through the tour safely. Please consult your physician as necessary. Remember to pack all medication in your carry-on baggage, preferably in original containers or packaging. As airline baggage restrictions can change without warning, please check with your airline for procedures for packing medication. As standard travel precautions, you should always be up to date with tetanus shots.
SUGGESTED READING:
A Photographic Guide to North American Raptors. 2003. B.K. Wheeler and W.S. Clark, Academic Press.
Field Guide to Hawks of North America. 2001. Peterson series no. 35, W. S. Clark and B.K. Wheeler, Houghton Mifflin Company.
Hawks in Flight. 1988. P. Dunn and D. Sibley and C. Sutton, Houghton Mifflin Company.
Birds of Prey of the West. 2018. Brian K. Wheeler, Princeton University Press.
TIPPING: Tipping (restaurant staff, porters, drivers, local guides) is included on our tours. However, if you feel your leader/s or any local guides have given you exceptional service, it is entirely appropriate to tip, but is not required. Tips should be given directly to your tour leader/s.
NOTE: THIS IS NOT A PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP. YOU MAY BRING A SMALL CAMERA, BUT REQUEST YOU NOT BRING LARGE LENSES AND TRI-PODS.